Three Moms Launch a Diverse, Inclusive Multi-Level Troop in Sunnyvale

December 01, 2023

Meet the Troop

Troop 4192 isn't just any troop; it's a lively gathering of Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors from various backgrounds and ethnicities, mirroring the rich diversity of its community. Led by three dedicated mothers and Girl Scout alums, Emily Burroughs, Ashanti Smith, and Samantha Allal, this trailblazing troop marks a significant Sunnyvale, TX milestone as its first multi-level Girl Scout Troop, now boasting over 20 girls!

Crafting for a Cause

Celebrating Juliette Gordon Low's Birthday and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Troop 4192's third meeting of the year was marked by a special crafting session. The troop members engaged in making friendship bracelets for each other and assembling tubes filled with comforting items like pink socks, pink Chapstick, and candies. They later delivered the thoughtful packages to patients at a nearby cancer hospital. Adding to the heartfelt gesture, the girls included handmade cards with messages of encouragement and warmth. The leaders of the troop were deeply moved, witnessing the girls collaborate and take on various leadership roles.

Sunnyvale Daisy beams with pride as she holds up her handmade gift for patients at a local hospital

Strength in Unity

The leaders of Troop 4192 each bring their own unique blend of experiences, from their careers and philanthropic endeavors to the joys and challenges of motherhood. Their maternal love facilitates a nurturing atmosphere, while their professional expertise ensures well-organized meetings.

Samantha, the catalyst for Troop 4192, who previously led a troop in another city, met Emily and Ashanti at a meeting she set up in a local park to attract interest and support. Relocating and building a network as a new member of a community can be daunting, but this dynamic trio worked together to create this multi-level troop that empowers girls of all ages to dream ambitiously and make the world a better place.

Leadership and Vision

The collective vision of these co-leaders is rooted in their recognition of the community's desire for a safe and enriching environment for girls that empowers their personal and leadership development. They strive to instill the importance of embracing and learning from girls of all backgrounds, cultures, and disabilities and place a strong emphasis on creativity, curiosity, and fearless exploration while providing the appropriate communication skills to ask questions with respect and consideration.

The Power of Intentional Inclusivity

Troop 4192 is a melting pot of diverse experiences that all come together, uniting like lifelong friends. The genuine excitement and joy visible on all their faces during meetings is undeniable, and they've received widespread recognition for their inviting atmosphere and endeavors to involve the wider community in their activities, Underscoring the idea that making a conscious effort to foster inclusivity has a positive ripple effect, reaching far beyond the troop's immediate boundaries.

In a world where people seek a sense of belonging, these mothers all take pride in leading a troop that fosters a sisterhood, providing these girls with a supportive and safe space to build their courage, confidence, and character.

Troop 4192 Leaders: Emily Burroughs, Ashanti Smith, and Samantha Allal

Tips for Creating a Welcoming Troop from these Leaders

1. Simplify the Process for Parents

Multi-level troops offer ease for families with daughters of different ages. This structure allows the whole family to join in activities together and removes the hassle of juggling various extracurricular schedules.

3. Foster Family Involvement

Encourage parents to take active roles within the troop. Offering numerous volunteer opportunities that utilize parents' unique skills and experiences will make them feel essential to the troop's success.

4. Encourage Community Engagement

Prioritize collaborative efforts rooted in community service. This approach will not only strengthen the feeling of inclusiveness and teamwork within the troop and beyond the troop but also enhance their spirit of collaboration, extending beyond their immediate circles.

2. Online and Offline Recruitment

Utilize social media to grow your troop. Facebook groups, like Sunnyvale Moms, are incredibly useful for spreading awareness, in addition to in-person promotion at school and other community events.

5. Be a Confident Change-Maker

Emily encourages leaders to "step out in your community and foster the change you desire by embracing diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and challenges. The world is beautiful and unique in every aspect, and we want to celebrate that. Think of planting a flower garden with a variety of plants —some tall, some low, some uniform, some wild, annuals, perennials—all requiring different levels of nurturing. When forming your troop, acknowledge that, just like the garden, all members benefit from the vast but supportive guidance and teachings of Girl Scouts."

Interested in starting your own troop? Get involved by visiting https://gsnetx.formstack.com/forms/membership_registration